The Ministry of Coal will release ‘AAROH: Annual Report on Mine Closure’ in New Delhi on Wednesday, marking what it said is the first comprehensive account of scientifically closed coal mines in the country since Independence.
According to the ministry, 42 coal mines have been scientifically closed in accordance with approved mine closure plans. The report documents the reclamation of these mines through ecological restoration, sustainable post mining land use and community focused interventions aimed at enabling productive reuse of former mining areas.
Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy will preside over the event. Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh will attend as special guests, while Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey will be the guest of honour.
The ministry will also sign an implementation agreement with Germany’s Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) to strengthen technical cooperation on the scientific closure of coal mines. The agreement aims to enhance institutional capacity, promote knowledge sharing and facilitate the adoption of international best practices in mine closure and post mining land use.
The event will also witness the inauguration of Coal NEER plants established by Coal India Ltd through its subsidiaries to improve access to safe and sustainable drinking water in coal bearing regions.
In addition, tripartite memoranda of understanding (MoUs) will be signed among Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL), the Jharia Rehabilitation and Development Authority (JRDA), and Hindalco Industries Ltd and Rajdhani Universal Fabrics Pvt Ltd for setting up vocational training facilities under the Revised Jharia Master Plan.
The ministry said the programme will also showcase innovations in mine reclamation, ecological restoration and community rehabilitation through an exhibition featuring initiatives by Coal India Ltd and its subsidiaries, NLC India Ltd, Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL), NTPC and private mining companies.
It said the initiative is part of its broader efforts to promote sustainable mine closure through policy frameworks, digital tools and stakeholder collaboration, with a focus on ecological restoration, economic diversification and long term regional development.
